Hermetically sealed meal compact



May 20, 1952 1, COMO 2,597,567

HERMETICALLY SEALED MEAL COMPACT Filed Feb. 24, 1951 i I I I I I 3 I 1 I i I I I 5 i I 31 I I! I I In I i I I I I i i I a 2 MI I;

$2? I i I l 1' 29 i l I I I l I 'l E E k I I v 37 i |l I;

I I. 19 f I I INVENTOR.

Patented May 20, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

My invention relates to hermetically sealed meal compacts.

An important object of my invention is to provide a meal compact of the aforementioned character, which may be made available for distribution and sale in stores.

A further object of my invention is to provide a meal compact of the aforementioned character, which is subdivided into wells or compartments, each hermetically sealed, each compartment or well being individually sealed so that there will be no contamination of foods, odors or admix tures of the same.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a meal compact which will accommodate, in hermetically sealed arrangement, at least one beverage and one or more solid foods.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a meal compact of the aforementioned character, in which the liquid compartment, or compartments, may be accessible to permit removal of the contents therein, without destroying the sealing effect of the remainder of the compartments.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a meal compact having an upper chamber or compartment, an intermediate chamber or compartment, preferably subdivided into two subcompartments and a lowermost compartment; all arranged to be hermetically sealed by means of evacuation and metallic band reinforcing means, which is removable by means of conventional key construction.

A still further object of my invention is to provide in the liquid containing, or retaining, chamber concealed spout means to facilitate dispensing of the liquid therein.

A still further object of my invention is to provide single sealing means for sealing all chambers in one unitary structure.

A further object of my invention is to provide a meal compact of the aforementioned character, which is simple in construction, practical for the purposes for which it is to be used, and of such elemental construction as to lend itself ideally for economical manufacture in quantity production.

Other objects and advantages inherent in my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings, bearing further elucidation in the ensuing description, wherein like symbols are used to designate like parts, and in which;

Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken substantially on line ll of Fig. 2. Y

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structural relationship of the parts at the seam where the entire device is hermetically sealed for preservation of the contents therein.

Referring to the various views, my invention is generally designated 4 and consists of a number of can-like elements or container elements arranged in nesting relationship and in superimposition, one over the other. The lowermost element is designated as l and is of oblong configuration as shown, being provided at its uppermost portion with a locating bead 8 terminating in a lip portion 9, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained in greater detail.

The lowermost portion of the outer container 1 is reduced in size and provides the chamber or compartment l0, which is adapted to hold a liquid, such as soup, coffee, milk or any other drink or beverage.

The reduced portion or chamber I0 is connected to the outer container 1 by the intermediate shoulder portion ll, forming a seat for the container Hi, the bottom of which rests thereon, having intermediately positioned between the said bottom and the shoulder II a gasket [2 of rectangular configuration, so as to form a good seal for the liquid or beverage retaining chamber Ill.

The intermediate container element I4 is also provided with a shoulder I4 which acts as a seat for the gasket 20 to seal the upper container 23; the said upper container having upwardly extending nesting walls 22, which in addition to the lips 9 are positioned in abutting relationship against the shoulder 26 of the upper container 23; the walls 24 thereof confining also a beverage or liquid which may be a fruit juice or a vegetable juice.

The upper container 23 is enclosed by the cover element 5 and the same is held to the remainder of the nested construction illustrated in Fig. 2 by means of a sealing ribbon 6, which is partially fractured all along the perimetral configuration of the upper container so that the same is severable from the remainder of the unit by rolling the conventional key 36, used for such purposes, after its stem 35 has engaged a loose portion or tab of the sealing ribbon 6, thus coiling the same upon the stem 35 of the key as indicated at 34, facilitating removal of the cover 5 and affording access to all of the compartments.

it will be noted that the intermediate unit M has the compartment l3, which is subdivided into two sub-compartments l5 and 16 by the partition IT having flanged portions 19 and [8; portion l 8 being soldered or welded to the bottom of the intermediate container 14; the upper portion serving to abut against the bottom of the upper container 23, so that the gasket 20, having a web 2! at the center thereof, will seal the sub-compartments l5 and [6 against contamination or admixture of the foods therein, maintaining the foods separately and in total isolation.

The upper container 23 is provided with the compartment or chamber 25, in which a-liquid such as fruit juice or vegetable juice may be confined.

It will be noted that theone-side of the upper container 23 at the edge 28'is provided with an extended metal portion or apron, which is folded as indicated at 29 to form the web 30 in dihedral and angular formation 31 to act as a concealed spout when the cover 5 is removed-and the contents of the chamber 25 are to be spilled, emptied,

or dispensed into a glass, cup or othersuitable drinking container. The edges 21 Main the same horizontal plane as the surface 2 8.

It may be desired not to consume the entire meal packaged in themealcompact, in which event :the liquids .in-the chamber 25 and in the chamber I may be independently consumed by piercing as indicated at :32 and 33 and thus dispensing the liquid contents therefrom without resorting to opening-the entire compact by means of the key 36, leaving the ribbon 6 underseal and thus .preservingthe solid foods in the subcompartments [l and 16 'withoutaffecting them in any manner whatsoever; thus-the meal compact has another-decided advantage that some of the .foods therein, the liquid foods or'the beverages, may be consumed withoutdestroying the protective sealing eifect to the solid foods contained therein, or the entire..compact may be opened by the removal-of the sealing ribbon 6; thus making availabl all the courses containedin-the meal compact.

It goes without saying tthatithe meal'compact will furnish an ideal arrangement forbaohelors, who, for example, would like-to have a complete meal, and who having no-cooking facilities available, may -.purchase these meal compactsywhich will be labeled with the types of foods contained in each of the chambers and certain of-thefoods, such as the specific beverages or solid foods. Should certain foods require-heating; and since the average bachelor apartmenthas iacilities for heating, my invention will;provide anpideal meal compact for such individuals.

It goes without saying that such an arrangement will alsosavetime and should be'economically a profitableventure. These'meal compacts may also be used especially for -,packing;dietary foods in various -combinations required tor -meals, such as luncheon, breakfast or dinner, and the 'food required for the'dietary purposes measured out in specific amounts either volumetrically or gravimetrically as required by stipulations of dieticians and other-individuals who recommend prescribed diets.

The entire unit makesavailable all the foods from the compact by. merely removing the ribbon 6 coiling it up as indicated at 34, by means of the conventional key 36 operated perimetrally about the contour '31 of the unit.

Although I have hereindescribed rather succinctly the nature and use of my invention'so that persons skilled in the art will have no difliculty' apprising themselves of the teachings thereof and, inasmuch as the disclosure is susceptible of various alterations, modifications, and improvements, I hereby reserve the right to all modifications, alterations, and improvements falling within the scope and spirit of my invention, as well as any modifications that are embraced suggestively in the accompanying drawings, and any that may come within the purview ,of the foregoing description; my invention to belimited only by the appended claims.

Having thus disclosed and revealed my invention, what =I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Hermetically sealed meal compact means, comprising .an outer container element provided with anintermediate shoulder portion defining .a reduced liquid compartment, an intermediate container element provided with an intermediate :s houlder portion and, av reduced -compartment, the said intermediate container-element nested within the said outer compartment .ele-

ment. and having its bottom, .portion resting ,on

.the said (first-mentioned intermediate shoulder portion also having its top edges in the samehorzontal plane with the edges of the saidwuter container element, an upper container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion in abutting relationship with both the said firstmentioned .top edgesand-zthe said second-mentioned topedges, the=bottom portionaof the :said

upper container element resting on the said second-mentioned intermediate shoulder portion,-a .cover element securedto the said upper container element,- a locating bead portion provided adjacent *the;top; edges of-the-said .outer containergelement, anda scaling ribbon securing .thevedgesrof the said cover elementto-aglipiportion above the-said locating beadrporti'on am provided-withafreeend engageableby a key for severingthe said sealing ribbon to permit its removal rendering,accessible lthe various compartments in the said meal compact means.

2. :I-Iermetically sealed zmeal compactmeans, comprising an outer: container :element .:provided with an.intermediate shoulder portion defining a reduced liquid compartment, an .intermediate container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion ,and a reduced compartment,

the :said intermediate container element nested within the :said outer compartment elementxand having its bottom portion tresting :on theasaid first-mentioned intermediate shoulder portion also having its top edges :in the same horizontal plane with the edges ofthesaid outer-container element, an upper container, element .provided withan intermediate shoulderv portion iniabutting relationship withc both the saidfirst-mentioned top edges and :the said -second-mentioned top; edges, the :bottom portion of the said .upper container elementresting on-the said secondmentioned:intermediate-shoulder:portion, a cover element secured to the said upper container ele- 'ment, a'locating bead portionprovided adjacent the top edges of the .said outer container element, a sealing ribbon securing the edges of'the said-cover element .to a lip:portion above the said locating :bead portion and provided .with a -free end engageable by :a key Ifor severing the -said sealingfl'ribbon to permit its removal rendering accessible the various compartments inthe said meal compact means, and concealedspout means formed along-one upper edge-ofthe said upper container element.

3. Hermetically sealed meal compact means, comprising an outer container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion defining a reduced liquid compartment, an intermediate container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion and a reduced compartment, the said intermediate container element nested within the said outer compartment; element and having its bottom portion resting on the said firstmentioned intermediate shoulder portion also having its top edges in the same horizontal plane with the edges of the said outer container element, an upper container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion in abutting relationship with both the said first-mentioned top edges and the said second-mentioned top edges, the bottom portion of the said upper container element resting on the said second-mentioned intermediate shoulder portion, a cover element secured to the said upper container element, a locating bead portion provided adjacent the top edges of the said outer container element, a sealing ribbon securing the edges of the said cover element to a lip portion above the said locating bead portion and provided with a free end engageable by a key for severing the said sealing ribbon to permit its removal rendering accessible the various compartments in the said meal compact means, and gasket means interposed between the said bottom portions and the said shoulder portions upon which the said bottom portions rest.

4. Hermetically sealed meal compact means, comprising an outer container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion defining a reduced liquid compartment, an intermediate container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion and a reduced compartment, the said intermediate container element nested within the said outer compartment element and having its bottom portion resting on the said firstmentioned intermediate shoulder portion also having its top edges in the same horizontal plane with the edges of the said outer container element, an upper container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion in abutting relationship with both the said first-mentioned top edges and the said second-mentioned top edges, the bottom portion of the said upper container element resting on the said second-mentioned intermediate shoulder portion, a cover element secured to the said upper container element, a locating bead portion provided adjacent the top .edges of the said outer container element, a sealing ribbon securing the edges of the said cover element to a lip portion above the said locating bead portion and provided with a free end engageable by a key for severing the said sealing ribbon to permit its removal rendering accessible the various compartments in the said meal compact means, and concealed spout means formed along one upper edge of the said upper container element, and gasket means interposed between the said bottom portions and the said shoulder portions upon which the said bottom portions rest.

5. Hermetically sealed meal compact means, comprising an outer container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion defining a reduced liquid compartment, an intermediate container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion and a reduced compartment, the said intermediate container element nested within the said outer compartment element and having its bottom portion resting on the said first-mentioned intermediate shoulder portion also having its top edges in the same horizontal plane with the edges of the said outer container element, an upper container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion in abutting relationship with both the said first-mentioned top edges and the said second-mentioned top edges, the bottom portion of the said upper container element resting on the said second-mentioned intermediate shoulder portion, a cover element secured to the said upper container element, a locating bead portion provided adjacent the top edges of the said outer container element, and a sealing ribbon securing the edges of the said cover element to a lip portion above the said locating bead portion and provided with a free end engageable by a key for severing the said sealing ribbon to permit its removal rendering accessible the various compartments in the said meal compact means, the said reduced compartment of the said intermediate container element being partitioned to form a plural number of sub-compartments.

6. Hermetically sealed meal compact means, comprising an outer container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion defining a reduced liquid compartment, an intermediate container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion and a reduced compartment, the said intermediate container element nested within the said outer compartment element and having its bottom portion resting on the said firstmentioned intermediate shoulder portion also having its top edges in the same horizontal plane with the edges of the said outer container element, an upper container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion in abutting relationship with both the said first-mentioned top edges and the said second-mentioned top edges, the bottom portion of the said upper container element resting on the said second-mentioned intermediate shoulder portion, a cover element secured to the said upper container element, a locating bead portion provided adjacent the top edges of the said outer container element, a sealing ribbon securing the edges of the said cover element to a lip portion above the said locating bead portion and provided with a free end engageable by a key for severing the said sealing ribbon to permit its removal rendering accessible the various compartments in the said meal compact means, and concealed spout means formed along one upper edge of the said upper container element, the said reduced compartment of the said intermediate container element being partitioned to form a plural number of sub-compartments.

7. Hermetically sealed meal compact means, comprising an outer container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion defining a reduced liquid compartment, an intermediate container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion and a reduced compartment, the said intermediate container element nested within the said outer compartment element and having its bottom portion resting on the said first-mentioned intermediate shoulder portion also having its top edges in the same horizontal plane with the edges of the said outer container element, an upper container element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion in abutting relationship with both the said first-mentioned top edges and the said second-mentioned top edges, the bottom :portion of the said upper container element resting on the said second-mentioned intermediate shoulder portion, a cover element secured to the said upper container element, a locating bead portion provided adjacent the top edges of the said outer container element, a sealing ribbon isecurmgztheedges-of thehsaidicover element toxa lip, portion above the-said locating bead portion and: {provided wwith a .free :end wengageableaby a key forisevering the said-sealingmibbonto permit its removal rendering accessible 'the -various-com partments in the said :mealcompact-means, and gasketmeansinterposed :betweenthe said bottom Portions; and the said-shouldercpoiztionsupon whichthe said bottom-portions srest; :thersaid reduced compartment of the said intermediate container element bemgipartitioned-to form; a plural number of subcompartments.

8. ,Hermetically" sealed meal compact means, comprising an outer, container element provided withan intermediate shoulder portiondefining a reduced liquid compartment an, intermediate container elementprovided lwith-an intermediate shoulder portion and a reduced compartment, the said intermediate container'element nested within the said outer compartmentielement and .having its bottom vportion restingon the said firstmentioned intermediate shoulder portion also having its top edges in the samehorizontal plane with the edges of the said outer containerele- 'ment, an upper container'element provided with an intermediate shoulder portion iniabutting-rewlationship with both the said first-mentioned top edges and the said second-mentionedttopzedges, the .bottom portion-0f the said ,upper container element resting on the said second-mentioned,

intermediate-shoulderportion, a cover element 8 securedte the :said upper. container element, a locating bead portion providedc-adjacentsthe top edges .of the=said outer containerelemcnt a sealing' ribbon :securing the edges of the said cover element to a .-lip portion above ,the .said locating beadportionandtprovided with a freeend en age- .able .byla key ,for severing the said. sealing ribbon to {permit its ;removal rendering accessible :the .various compartments. in the .said meal compact imeans, concealed spout means iormed along one upper; edge of the. said upper container element. .and gasket. means interposed between the said bottom ,portions and the said shoulder portions upon-which the said bottom. portions rest, the saidreduced compartment of the said intermediate container-element being partitioned toiormta plural number ofsub-compartments.

ILIO COMO.

REFERENCES. CITED The following references are of 'record .in the ,file .of this .patent:

UNITED- STATES -PATENTS Number Name Date 187,216 .Chinnock .Feb; 13, 1877 985,106 Bradshaw lFeb,21, 1911 2,096,825 Roman Oct. 26, .1937 2,288,895 Fink July 7, 19.42 2,327,447 OBrien Aug..24, 1943 

